For some reason everytime I see it all I can think of is “Obsessed with”, but I’m debating whether or not “obsessed with” has too much of a negative connotation. Perhaps there is colloquial nuance which isn’t applicable to the Japanese usage of the word. Frankly I just don’t know whether or not it would be appropriate to make it a synonym, so I am reluctant to do so.

What say you? Am I right in my apprehension or is it an apppropriate synonym to add?

I think obsession can have a similar but more of a negative connotation like you were saying. It feels like it’s more like getting lost in something.

daze
(in a) trance
ecstasy
delirium
engrossment
within a (deep) dream

This seems less intentional, like you’re falling into it, but you can snap out of it. Whereas obsession make me think of something that you can’t stop, even if you know it’s bad for you.

(Edit:
Obsession: an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.
So, this comes at you even when you’re not trying to pursue it. Whereas absorption happens when you just really get into it.
Hope that helps at all.)